Lunch in Grazalema

Leaving Benaocaz, we continued on into the Sierra de Grazalema mountains heading for the village of Grazalema. Our route here took us through spectacular scenery with the mountains of the Sierra rising on both sides of the road. 

Passing by the lovely village of Villaluenga del Rosario, still one of the most beautiful pueblo's we've ever visited.

Our first sight of Grazalema.

We parked where we usually do in the free car park just outside the village and walked the short distance back towards the centre.

Grazalema is definitely on the tourist route and as such the houses and buildings are beautifully decorated and maintained.

Walking and hiking is a favourite pastime here and there are numerous routes in the area, most of which require a permit as the Sierra de Grazalema is a protected Natural Park area. 

Lovely floral decorations adorned most of the streets we visited.

After a very pleasant lunch we headed home passing slowly by this goat herd just outside the village.

Chilled or what!.

A refreshingly cold spring a little further along the road looked inviting on a very warm day.

The flowers of the Oleander plant are particularly stunning at the moment and there were numerous displays on the way home.

Grazalema

The weather continues to be amazingly warm, I would estimate at about 15°C, and a lovely day for a drive out.

So where better to head for than Grazalema, a beautiful pueblo nestling in the Natural Park that bears its name.

Before arriving at Grazalema however, we passed by the equally beautiful pueblo of Zahara de la Sierra, situated overlooking the reservoir.
Grazalema is situated south of Olvera and the road from Zahara over the mountains offers some of the most stunning scenery in Andalucia.

Just to prove that I'm not glued to the camera. Here, standing at the viewpoint of Puerto de Las Palomas, 1365 metres (4450 feet) above sea level.

The view from the Mirador.

Most weekends there are always lots of motorbikes on the road so it was unusual to see these this group of scooter riders pass by.

After many stops along the way, we eventually arrived at Grazalema and parked in one of the car parks in town.

The pueblo is a very popular destination for visitors, set in its stunning location and well served with bars and restaurants.

We met up with those scooters again.

The picturesque Plaza de España in the centre of the village is lined with bars and restaurants.

Walking and hiking in the area is a popular pastime and there are no shortage of walking sticks on offer.

Looking towards the Algarin Cliff and Las Grajas Abyss that shelter the village of El Gastor and just visible beyond is Olvera.

Nature and Art

A beautiful, late summer day, 38°C and hardly a cloud in the sky.

We drove south of Olvera for about thirty minutes to the picturesque village of Grazalema, primarily to visit an art exhibition but also to take in the stunning scenery along the route.

The village nestles in the natural park area known as the Sierra de Grazalema and is a popular destination for tourists and walkers alike.

We found the impressive exhibition of artwork being displayed by members of ArtistAndalucia in the Grazalema Tourist Office.

Not part of the exhibit, although impressive in their own right, were these squash plants, the results of a competition amongst local residents. Apparently, this coming Sunday, some of these will be turned into delicacies for the enjoyment of visitors attending the exhibition.

Leaving the centre we stopped off at one of the many bars for a drink before heading back to Olvera.

The mountain road between Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra offers some of the most dramatic and stunning scenery in the whole of Andalucia, a route we never get tired of driving along.